The Federal Government has been urged to accelerate solar power deployment to address energy poverty, with an estimated 86 million Nigerians lacking access to electricity.
The call was made by the Solar Power Nigeria Coalition during a solidarity march in Abuja, where participants advocated wider adoption of solar energy to provide affordable and reliable electricity to underserved communities.
Speaking at the event, Joseph Ibrahim said solar mini-grids could deliver electricity to rural communities, markets and other locations faster than waiting for extensions of the national grid.
He described mini-grids as small power stations located within communities, enabling residents to access electricity within months rather than waiting years for grid connections.
Ibrahim said solar energy offered a practical way to expand electricity access to homes, schools, clinics and businesses.
He lamented that 66 years after independence, millions of Nigerians remained without electricity, blaming the situation partly on the failure of political candidates to make power supply a central issue during election campaigns.
‘This time must be different. From President and Governor to Senator, House member and Local Government Chairman, every candidate must tell us clearly how they will bring electricity to the people they want to lead,’ he said.
He added that rising fuel prices had made generator-powered electricity increasingly unaffordable for many households and small businesses.
‘Solar has become a lifeline. Yet our national grid still produces only about 5,000 megawatts for more than 200 million people, and over 86 million Nigerians have no electricity at all,’ Ibrahim said.
He noted that inadequate electricity affected children’s ability to study at night, healthcare facilities’ capacity to preserve medicines and the operations of traders who depend on lighting and power to conduct business.
Ibrahim commended the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, for reconsidering an immediate ban on solar imports, saying the decision would help keep solar equipment accessible to households, businesses, schools and clinics.
He urged the Federal Government to sustain supportive policies, improve access to affordable financing for solar businesses and consumers, and encourage investment in local solar companies.
According to him, supporting Nigerian businesses involved in manufacturing, installing and maintaining solar equipment would also create jobs for young people.
‘Every panel they fit is a job for a young Nigerian,’ he said.
Also speaking, the Nigerian National Coordinator of GreenFaith Africa, Lucky Abeng, said millions of Nigerians, particularly those in rural and economically disadvantaged communities, remained unable to access reliable electricity.
Abeng, whose organisation is a member of the coalition, said the campaign aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, which seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
He stressed the need for sustained efforts to expand electricity access and ensure that underserved communities benefit from cleaner and more affordable energy sources.